Next-generation courier service app on a global scale

On-demand local shipping start-up Fastvan just made its services accessible to a much wider audience by launching its app on the Apple App Store and on Android via the Google Play Store.

It plans to revolutionise and reinvent the industry of logistics in South Africa by moving the entire system online, creating increased automation, efficiency and transparency.

The industry of logistics in South Africa is a lucrative business, and although there are major players in the market, there still remains an impressive chunk of the market that can be captured by aspiring business ventures such as Fastvan.

It is estimated the logistics industry in South Africa is about R486 billion and logistic spending is only about to increase in this region. The global courier service market will become a $252.1 billion industry by 2018.

Fastvan identified these growing trends for logistics in South Africa, and decided to launch its very own real-time, on-demand app for local courier and removal services. With this innovative and modern app, businesses are able to track their orders in real-time via an in-app map. This sophisticated logistics app was developed in San Francisco, USA. Fastvan was efficient enough to identify a gap in the market, which involved companies making several manual phone calls accompanied with mountains of paperwork and quotations to schedule shipment, which was costly and slow. Businesses need to deliver their orders in real-time, and they also need to know where their parcel has gone during its delivery journey.

Fastvan allows people to enjoy a quick and on-demand service by providing complete transparency and efficiency through its interactive app. Customers can use the app to submit their delivery request through their smartphone or desktop, and nearby courier drivers are notified, and are free to accept the job. Once the job is accepted, businesses have the chance to track their van/truck throughout the delivery process.

This app provides its customers with a one-stop logistics solution, which covers all platforms from courier, removal and domestic delivery services, tracking the delivery on an in-app map to receiving automatic notifications once the order has been picked up and arrived at its destination. Customers can rate drivers on the app and receive automatic invoices by e-mail. Fastvan has partnered with leading courier companies to offer its customers high quality and real-time services.

Fastvan is set to change the logistics industry in South Africa through its ground-breaking app, which is sure to be the pioneer in facilitating and connecting courier partners with businesses and individuals who are outsourcing their logistic needs. Fastvan plans to launch its app by February 2016, starting with South Africa and expanding to other potential African countries by 2017, and eventually to European countries in 2018.